Huge Difference in Oil Level Hot v Cold Engine
Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:03 pm
As I live in a relatively hilly part of Derbyshire I though I'd initially check the oil level of my 6c GTI whilst on the flat at car park at work. The engine was stone cold having been stood all day. The car had only done 1500 miles since its service so I wasn't expecting it to be much off full. I know the correct process is to check the oil when the engine is up to operating temperature after letting the oil settle for a few minutes, but I was surprised when the level was right on the minimum. I then drove home and went straight to the local garage with a flat forecourt, let the oil settle and checked it again. This time it was right on full. I appreciate that the thinner viscosity of hot oil will give a fuller reading but didn't think it would explain such a difference between an oil level on minimum and maximum. Has anyone else experienced this difference? - the reason I ask is I've never found getting a clean, clear oil level reading easy on the 1.8 as the level on dipstick always seems to be corrupted by the process of removing the dipstick and I want to reassure myself that the full reading I got with hot oil is plausible. Cheers